Tortoise LS DietNZ103
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More informationSulcata tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
Natural diet Sulcata tortoise
The Sulcata tortoise is a herbivorous grazing species. In nature, they largely consume grasses and vegetables. Their natural diet contains enough moisture to stay hydrated but additional water supplementation is recommended in captivity.
Feeding advice Sulcata tortoise
Feed quantity per day
3-5%
Sample percentage calculation
If an animal weighs 50 kg and eats 4% of its body weight, it will get
50 x 0.04 = 2 kg feed in total per day
Feed composition
10% Concentrates
10% Other vegetables
79% Grass, alfalfa, roughage
1% Other
Proportions (fresh product)
0.1 x 2 kg = 200 g concentrates
0.1 x 2 kg = 200 g other vegetables
0.79 x 2 kg = 1,580 g grass, alfalfa, roughage
0.01 x 2 kg = 20 g other
Feeding advice Sulcata tortoise
Feed quantity per day
3-5%
Sample percentage calculation
If an animal weighs 50 kg and eats 4% of its body weight, it will get
50 x 0.04 = 2 kg feed in total per day
Feed composition
10% Concentrates
10% Other vegetables
79% Grass, alfalfa, roughage
1% Other
Proportions (fresh product)
0.1 x 2 kg = 200 g concentrates
0.1 x 2 kg = 200 g other vegetables
0.79 x 2 kg = 1,580 g grass, alfalfa, roughage
0.01 x 2 kg = 20 g other
Diet Suggestions
Recommended
Haychunks
Timothy hay
Orchard grasses
Vegetables
Supplements
In moderation
Fruits (without large pits)
Herbs
Not recommended
Lettuce, cabbage or spinach varieties
Predominantly feeding hay that is high in oxalates (e.g. alfalfa hay)
Common diseases
An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:
- Metabolic bone disease
- Respiratory disease
- Shell softening
Additional advice
- Feed according to the “Feed quantity per day” for 3 times per week (3-5 times for tortoises 1-5yr old).
- Feed high fiber products in the diet (read more about differences between vegetables).
- Avoid high protein and fat in the diet as it can cause the tortoise to outgrow its shell.
- Feed fruits occasionally as a treat, since it’s not included in their natural diet.
- Tortoises require adequate calcium through the form of supplementation or by feeding concentrates.
- Sulcatas respond to vivid colours, adding at least one colourful ingredient stimulates feeding activity.
- Foraging behaviour can be stimulated by dispersing the food throughout the enclosure (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).
Diet Suggestions
Recommended
Haychunks
Timothy hay
Orchard grasses
Vegetables
Supplements
In moderation
Fruits (without large pits)
Herbs
Not recommended
Lettuce, cabbage or spinach varieties
Predominantly feeding hay that is high in oxalates (e.g. alfalfa hay)
Common diseases
An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:
- Metabolic bone disease
- Respiratory disease
- Shell softening
